Even though Sanchez has scored 19 La Liga goals this season, reports in Spain claim he is going to be sacrificed by Barcelona as part of the Catalans huge summer overhaul to fund moves for new additions.

Arsenal, Liverpool and especially Juventus have been linked with the Chilean international recently while Marca now reports that United have joined the race to secure his services.

Barcelona paid Udinese £33m in the summer of 2011 to secure Sanchez but with the club desperately to fund moves they are prepared to listen offers of around £20m.

Meanwhile, van Gaal is also considering a move for Jordi Alba as an alternative to his first-choice Luke Shaw, with Marca claiming that United are set to offer more than £25m to secure the Spanish international full-flank.

Nevertheless, the BBC reports on Monday that the Premier League giants are closer to completing a deal for Shaw, after the youngster told Southampton he wanted to move to Old Trafford this summer.

United have had a £27m offer rejected for the 18-year-old left-back but it is understood they will increase their bid before considering any alternative.